Blackwell neighbors speak out about neighborhood violence

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RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--After a shooting on Dinwiddie Avenue in south Richmond Sunday, Blackwell neighbors are speaking out about violence on the street and in the community.

"Enough is enough, this has to stop," said Mecca Williams.

Williams was inside her home on Dinwiddie Avenue when the shooting occurred. She came outside to discover a man was shot in the back just outside her front door.

"I was in the house on the couch and I heard the shots and I thought to myself that could have been me or that could have been my roommate coming home," said Williams.

Williams, like several other neighbors on her block owns her home and takes pride in the Blackwell community.

"We are vested, we pay taxes, we clean up our neighborhood, we take care of each other," said one neighbor.

Some who live on the street expressed long standing concern about the crime in their community but wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

Several of the residents provided emails they exchanged with police about the crime problems describing robberies and assaults.

The emails specifically mention the section of the street where Sunday's shooting happened.

"It saddens me that it has to be a shooting to actually get police to pay attention to the problems," said a neighbor.

Williams claims that since the shooting it seems Richmond Police are paying more attention to their street. In fact we saw Richmond police officers on Dinwiddie Avenue questioning passerbys and patrolling adjacent streets today.

Homeowners hope things change.

"I'm at work worrying about my house, is my house safe and secure," said Williams.

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--After a shooting on Dinwiddie Avenue in south Richmond Sunday, Blackwell neighbors are speaking out about violence on the street .

"Enough is enough, this has to stop," said Mecca Williams.

Williams was inside her home on Dinwiddie Avenue when the shooting occurred. She came outside to discover a man was shot in the back just outside her front door.

"I was in the house on the couch and I heard the shots and I thought to myself that could have been me or that could have been my roommate coming home," said Williams.

Williams, like several other neighbors on her block owns her home and takes pride in the Blackwell community.

"We are vested, we pay taxes, we clean up our neighborhood, we take care of each other," said one neighbor.

Some who live on the street expressed long standing concern about the crime in their community but wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

Several of the residents provided emails they exchanged with police about the crime problems describing robberies and assaults.

The emails specifically mention the section of the street where Sunday's shooting happened.

"It saddens me that it has to be a shooting to actually get police to pay attention to the problems," said a neighbor.

Williams claims that since the shooting it seems Richmond Police are paying more attention to their street. In fact we saw Richmond police officers on Dinwiddie Avenue questioning passerbys and patrolling adjacent streets today.

Homeowners hope things change.

"I'm at work worrying about my house, is my house safe and secure," said Williams.